Most of the food eaten turns into glucose, a form of sugar. People with diabetes have difficulty managing sugar because they do not make enough or cannot properly use the hormone, insulin, responsible for getting sugar from the bloodstream into the cell. Diet plays an important role in the management of diabetes. People with diabetes do not need to eat special food, but they do need to make healthy food choices.
Starches
Starches are the primary source of carbohydrate in the diet. Carbohydrates in food have the greatest impact on blood sugar. People with diabetes can safely eat foods from the starch group, but they need to control the amount they consume.
Whole-grain starches are preferred because the fiber in whole-grains slows down digestion and the rate sugar enters the bloodstream. Whole-grain starch choices for diabetics include whole-wheat bread and bread products, whole-wheat pasta, brown rice, air-popped popcorn, millet, quinoa, whole-grain cereal, oats and oatmeal. Other starch choices diabetics can safely eat include peas, corn, potatoes, graham crackers, animal crackers and rice cakes.
Fruit
Fruits are also a source of carbohydrate in the diet. It is recommended people with diabetes choose to eat the whole fruit instead of drinking the juice because of the higher fiber content in the whole fruit. People with diabetes can safely eat all fresh, frozen and unsweetened canned fruits, according to MayoClinic.com.
Milk and Yogurt
In addition to being a source of carbohydrate, milk and yogurt also provide protein and calcium. People with diabetes are at a higher risk of heart disease and should choose low-fat and nonfat versions of milk and yogurt products. The saturated fat in full fat varieties may increase blood cholesterol levels, a risk factor for heart disease. Safe milk and yogurt choices for diabetics include skim milk, 1 percent fat milk, buttermilk, plain nonfat yogurt and sugar-free, nonfat fruit yogurt.
Meat and Meat Substitutes
Lean meats, such as beef tenderloin, pork chop, fish and white meat poultry, are the preferred meat choices for people with diabetes because they are lower in fat and calories. Other safe meat choices for diabetics include egg whites, egg substitutes, tofu, low-fat cheese, low-fat hot dogs and lean luncheon meats.
Vegetables
A diabetic can safely eat all fresh, frozen and low-sodium canned vegetables. Dark green and orange vegetables contain the highest amounts of vitamins and minerals and should be eaten most often, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These include carrots, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, romaine lettuce, kale and brussels sprouts.
Fats
Fats can be safely consumed on the diabetic diet, but fats are a concentrated source of calories, so portion sizes are important. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are the healthiest choices for people with diabetes. Examples of monounsaturated fats include olive oil, canola oil, peanuts and almonds. Examples of polyunsaturated fats include vegetable oils, margarine, walnuts and mayonnaise.
